For me, the Monday Blues always start with anxiety on Sunday night. I get a sick feeling in my stomach as my mind races a mile a minute. I love my job, classroom, students, and administration team. My co-workers are some of my best friends. So what’s the deal? Do you feel that strong pull of ‘please don’t make me go to work this Monday?’ These Monday Blues are REAL, folks! And for some teachers this year, Monday Blues lead into Tuesday Traumas, Wednesday Whys, Thursday ‘Thankfully it is almost Friday’, and FINALLY FRIDAY. Monday Blues can affect the entire week! So, how do you handle your blues? Do you try to drown them in caffeine and Tylenol, like me? Although this is partially to amuse and relate, here is my list of 20 Ways to Beat the Monday Blues.
1–Plans with Lessons and Materials Completed Can Beat Those Monday Blues!
I know we know! If we get those dang lesson plans done and all the materials ready before we leave on Friday, there would be so much less stress over the weekends! But there never seems to be time during the week, and who wants to stay late on Fridays. Me. I stay late on Fridays so that my Saturdays and Sundays are ALL MINE. And, the best part is that no one else is there on Friday evenings. No interruptions!
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2–Prep room before you leave Friday
I am there anyway! So, I get my calendar set up, my Morning Meeting slides ready, and all materials in their place. I’m not eager to start Monday mornings behind the eight ball. So besides having the calendar ready to go, popping these slides up on the smartboard for my students as they come in is a lifesaver. Time to check notes from any parents, look through backpacks, and do last-minute items as the kids are working!
3–Enjoy Your Teacher Friends–Beat the Monday Blues with some Besties!
It is so much easier to go into a job where you adore your co-workers. My co-workers are my besties! We find time to get together and laugh (possibly have a coffee or a cocktail). Mondays aren’t so bad when you get greeted by your friends!
4–Spend Time with Your Family
THIS RIGHT HERE! THIS is why I stay late on Fridays! If I have everything ready for Monday, I spend my weekends focused on my family. I am not dreading all the work waiting for me or thinking of lessons in my head!
5–Get Sleep
OK, I hear you! This one is just a pipe dream most nights. But I am not losing sleep thinking of everything I need to get done on Monday!
6–Reward Yourself
Take a bubble bath. Sit outside and drink your coffee–while it is HOT! Paint your toenails! Read a book! Take at least a half-hour just for yourself (more than that may be another pipe dream!). Go for a walk! Buy the shoes!
7–Organize away those Monday Blues
If I keep my classroom organized, Mondays are so much easier. If I didn’t prep Friday night, I could easily and quickly grab what I need for the day without the mad searching! Some of you know what I mean. Here are some great tips: Organizing Ideas!
8–Don’t Save it all for Sunday Night
Do your laundry, shopping, errands, cleaning, etc., throughout the week. You cannot save everything for your weekend! You must not keep it for Sunday night!
9–Clean Desk
I had a white desk in my classroom. ONCE. My white desk lasted for about two months before it had coffee stains, juice spots, pen, and marker marks. But, I do keep a clean desk from 4:00 PM until about 9:00 AM. Then all day long, my desk remains buried. But, having a clean and organized desk for Monday morning keeps those Monday Morning Blues at bay.
10–Clear Weekly Agenda
Do you love lists, calendars, and schedules? I love using my Flair pens on my EVERYTHING! However, I hate drawing arrows all over my schedule. SO I now keep it all on my phone. On Sunday, I can take a quick look at my week ahead, make a shortlist of priorities for the week, and keep it all on my phone!
11–Start the day with your favorite school beverage
Leave early and get the Dunkin or the Starbucks. Celebrate the start of the week that you know you are ready to conquer! Don’t skip those few moments in your car, listening to your music choice, sipping on your beverage as you drive to work!
12–Eat breakfast to beat those Monday Blues
Sounds silly that I am saying this one as I never grab breakfast before work. And, I feel it by ten o’clock! I now prep a breakfast container with some granola, yogurt, and a banana that I enjoy at my clean desk with my coffee before my kids come in!
13–Do not plan early Monday morning meetings
This tip screams do as I say, not as I do, as I have a Monday morning meeting scheduled for the Monday we come back from Spring Break. Gee Whiz, what was I thinking. Monday morning meetings are a no-no. Please don’t do it! These little meetings that could have been an email can derail your whole Monday.
14–Collaborate
Share the workload! Find meaningful ways for your aides to help out! Plan lessons with a friend. Go to Fearless First Grade Teachers and join the Facebook Group!
15–Occupy the Students
These No Prep Centers will keep those kiddos busy so you can do any last-minute tasks! They are meaningful centers that are PERFECT hands-on activities for Math and ELA!
16–Fun Monday
Don’t save the fun for Fridays–plan activities that YOU look forward to teaching on Mondays!
17–Back It Up
Have backup lessons and materials for when you’re not feeling it–do not feel guilty if it’s Monday and you have decided you are not feeling the new unit you’ve planned!
18–No Sweat
Cut yourself slack–Hair not done, plans not ready, the desk is a mess??? It happens to all of us. Don’t sweat it. Pull out your No Prep Centers!
19–Be on Time
Don’t be late–Mondays are NOT the day to be late. You will be catching up all day!
20–Breathe
Well, chances are we all will still have those Monday Blues. Heck, I have friends that are counting the number of Monday wake-ups that are left until summer. Not everyone can be a Monday person, but a little prep and a big coffee can at least give it a good shot for us all.
WRITTEN BY – SUZANNE KELLEY
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